Police seize firearms, swords, drugs in TCHC raids

The discovery guns, swords and drugs found stashed in common areas of TCHC buildings during a series of raids conducted by Toronto police last week is cause for concern, the corporation said in a statement released Monday afternoon.

Police Insp. Shaun Narine of 31 Division said at a news conference Monday that the objects, including a sawed-off shotgun and a replica firearm that was altered so it could fire actual ammunition, were hidden in drop-down ceiling tiles in hallways, laundry rooms and electrical rooms.

“It is troubling that by hiding weapons and drugs in such areas, people engaged in criminal activities have put the safety of all residents and staff at risk,” TCHC spokeswoman Sinead Canavan said in the release.

In one building, shotgun shells were found in a rolled-up sock in a laundry room, Narine told reporters at a news conference Monday, as police displayed the items that were seized last Thursday and Friday.

Police swept through TCHC buildings across the city after several violent incidents.

No one has been arrested in connection with the discovered items.

Narine said the people who hid the objects likely did so because they are trying to avoid getting caught with them in their possession because they’re afraid of mandatory minimum sentences for gun crimes.

Anyone with information about the investigation is asked to call police or Crime Stoppers.